Top 5 Language-Learning Apps

Language barriers keep many like-minded people from socializing and creates career limitations. Tear these barriers down by learning a new language or improving your proficiency in one you already know.

Here are the top five best language-learning apps so you can become bilingual or multilingual with the help of your mobile device.

“Duolingo” by Duolingo

Duolingo is a fun language-learning app that puts a unique twist on traditional language instruction. Duolingo’s mascot, a wise green owl that serves as your coach, helps you learn a new language by spending short sessions daily. This app is incredibly addicting, turning the language-learning experience into a fun game by adding hearts lost with incorrect answers, leaderboards for weekly competition with friends, and earning experience for leveling up. The app is updated frequently so it runs smoothly and free of bugs. Languages currently available to learn are English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish but more courses are being released as Duolingo’s volunteer base helps create new ones. These volunteers help ensure that Duolingo remains a free service without any advertisements. Duolingo is available for iOS and Android devices.

“Endless Alphabet” by Originator Inc.

This is actually an app for kids to learn their first language. Children learn to identify letters and spell words in a fun and engaging way, with pictures and animations that help memory retrieval. Perhaps the most important feature of Endless Alphabet is that it instills in our youth the passion for learning a language! Endless Alphabet is available for all iOS and Android devices.

“Learn Spanish 24/7” by 24/7 Tutor Inc.

Learn Spanish 24/7 immerses you in Spanish with audio by native speakers, speech recording, and other fun features. The teaching model is based on having constant access to study materials for the language you are learning. As is apparent from the company’s name, 24/7 Tutor believes that the best way to learn a language is to have your own personal teacher available at all times so you can study at your own convenience. 24/7 actually offers apps to learn not only Spanish but French, German, Italian, and Russian as well. Learn Spanish 24/7 and all other 24/7 Tutor apps are currently only available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices.

“Rosetta Course” by Rosetta Stone, Ltd

Rosetta Stone has created proven, award-winning language-learning software used by corporations, educational institutions, and other agencies worldwide. Their app brings Rosetta Stone to your mobile device instead of your desktop computer. Choose one of 30 different languages and begin learning! Rosetta Course is available for iOS and android devices.

“Vocabulary.com” by Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary.com’s app is not just a dictionary. It helps teach you thousands of words using the proven science of learning to optimize retention and the successful system of gaming to maximize fun. You may think you know your language, but Vocabulary.com’s app will help you develop your vocabulary to improve your reading, speech and writing. Vocabulary.com’s app is currently only available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices.